Mental health maintenance

Maintaining mental health is important because it improves the quality of one’s life and helps maintain strong relationships with people around you.

Mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, can range from everyday stress to serious long term conditions.

If you feel bottled up, you should communicate your feelings with a close friend, visit Counseling and Psychological Services, or get involved in church services.

Don’t be afraid or embarrassed, we all face problems in life.

Stress and depression can affect the way you think, feel and behave in many different ways.

One can feel angry most of the time, emotionally closed off, or even lack physical energy.

I believe not sharing our thoughts or feelings with others that care can further our anxiety or depression.

Many people do not like to admit they have depression or anxiety, so instead they hide their feelings because they are afraid of other people’s reactions.

Early signs for depression are overeating, oversleeping, feeling helpless or hopeless, or experiencing severe mood swings that can cause relationship problems.

According to Vikran Patel, professor of international mental health, about 50 percent of people do not receive appropriate mental health care.

There are many resources on campus that can help students maintain a healthy personal well-being.

Counseling is completely confidential and students are assured they will have privacy unless they pose a risk to themselves or others.

It is important to seek help with personal issues you may be facing, regardless of severity, because it can save you from hurting yourself or the ones around you.

There are many different workshops or resources that help you improve your mental health and cultivate a higher self-esteem.

Group activities and workshops are available throughout the week about stress management, understanding addiction and co-dependency, or coping with relationship issues.

There are also meditation activities on Monday through Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m., which many students take advantage of.

“Ten minutes out 24 hours of the day will change your attitude. Meditating balances out your nerves. Your body feels relaxed and renewed. You forget your problems for a while,” said CSUSB junior Cassandra Butcher.

On the Counseling and Psychological Services website, there is a free and anonymous online self-assessment screening that helps you determine if you are experiencing depression, bipolar disorder or substance abuse.

If we want to keep succeeding, we should strive for a healthy mental state because it helps us think, feel, and behave in a positive and proactive way.